As part of ambitious growth plans, CIAT UK is moving to new headquarters and expanding its distribution network.

The company, which supplies a complete range of high performance chillers, air handling units, fan coils and heat pumps, is relocating from its existing site at Whyteleafe to new headquarters in Leatherhead, alongside United Technologies Corporation sister company Toshiba Air Conditioning.

Its new base will include a dedicated air conditioning training centre with working equipment, a showroom and administration offices for technical support and sales staff. The move follows the purchase of CIAT Group globally by UTC last year.

In addition, the company has appointed two new distributors, Cool Designs Ltd in the north and AMP Air in the south. They will work alongside the company’s existing sales agent, TIAC, and be supported by CIAT’s internal and direct sales team based out of Leatherhead, offering a selected range of chillers, air handling units and fan coils alongside their existing ranges of Toshiba split and VRF air conditioning systems.

CIAT products will also be available from Toshiba direct, enabling the company to offer a one stop shop service to cater for all requirements on a project. Equipment will be stocked and distributed from Toshiba’s UK logistics hub at Plymouth.

The expansion will be supported by significant investment in a global research and development centre, based in France. The facility will pioneer new technology and innovation in new products.

CIAT’s original France-based parent company has more than 80 years of heritage in the sector, with nine factories and sales outlets in 70 countries around the world.

Following the recent acquisition of CIAT by UTC, the company is developing a growth strategy based on a combination of increased share in existing sectors and the addition of new business. To support expansion, CIAT is also recruiting additional staff.

CIAT UK director, Alistair Walker, said: “This is an exciting time for the company, and we see major opportunities to grow in the next few years. We are taking a long-term strategic approach, and that includes investing in new technology, adding new people, expanding our presence on the ground, and offering high quality training in the use of equipment.”

David Dunn, director and general manager of Toshiba and CIAT UK, said: “From Toshiba’s perspective, it adds an important new dimension to our offering. Toshiba has always been strong in splits and VRF, however there has always been an opportunity to expand into chilled water and air movement technology, and CIAT has some excellent products that complement our own range.